The Dallas Mavericks(11-9) have been struggling of late. Coming into Wednesday’s road game against the Pelicans(6-18), Dallas had lost two straight and five of their last seven, including Monday’s 114-96 home loss to the Cavaliers.
However, they played the lowly Pelicans(6-16) at the right time. Dallas shot a team-record 68.7%, and they shot 79.6% on two-point shots – another new team record (39/49). The 79.6% is the third-best mark in the shot clock era in NBA history.
Dallas was led by Luka Doncic, who recorded his 100th career double-double with 28 points and 14 assists. The two-time All-Star had 22 points and 10 assists in the first half to join Damian Lillard and Trae Young as the only players with multiple 20-point, 10-assist halves since 2018-19.
Doncic had it going on for Dallas, and as we know, he’s the straw that stirs the drink for Dallas; according to Mavs head coach Jason Kidd, Doncic set the tone against New Orleans.
“Luka, I thought set the tone, Kidd said. “He was Luka again tonight. Not just posting up; he was finding the open man, and I thought it was no stress offensively for us.”
Hardaway Jr. added on Doncic: “Every shot he was taking, it was going in, so it’s great to have a superstar that can get himself going, and also get his teammates going as well, and he did both tonight very, very, very, very well.”
The Mavericks needed that win against New Orleans, and they hope to sweep the home and home on Friday night in Dallas as they start a three-game homestand.
Listen below as Hardaway Jr. talks Doncic, and more:
